Summerdale, Pa. - With three players noting double-digit points, the Penn State Greater Allegheny women's basketball team earned their first regular season victory, Thursday night, over Central Penn by a margin of 77-43.
Central Penn was the first to answer through the contest, while they bucketed three free-throw attempts. Junior guard Jess Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Serra Catholic) and sophomore forward Morgan McCallister (North Huntington, Pa./Norwin) both down jumpers as sophomore guard Mandi Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) contributed eight straight points, GA now ahead of the home team, 12-3.
Freshman guard Brianna Williams (Pittsburgh, Pa./University Prep) added a jumper before Mandi put down a jumper and one to keep the Greater Allegheny swing moving. Sophomore guard Tori Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) made a free-throw as Williams completed a jumper, ending the first quarter in a 20-6 GA lead.
McCallister was hot through the start of the second, as the sophomore came out with a pair of jumpers. T. Johnston bucketed a free-throw before she silenced the crowd with a three-pointer, Greater Allegheny up 28-13. McCallister and M. Johnston both completed jumpers before Williams downed a trey to keep the GA Lion steam engine rolling. M. Johnston slashes a free-throw to send the two teams into halftime with an 36-28 Greater Allegheny advantage.
Manfredi came out of the half and drained a three-pointer. M. Johnston added a jumper before freshman guard Chelsy Ware (Pittsburgh, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) matched her with a jumper herself. Freshman forward Andrea Burroughs (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) posted a jumpshot before Mandi added a free-throw and Tori drained a three-pointer, GA 49-29.
Central Penn fought back a bit before Williams and Ware both added jumpshots before the quarter expired, GA 53-35 with just ten minutes left through regulation.
Burroughs and McCallister both contributed jumpers before T. Johnston exploded with a trio of three-pointers and a jumper, elevating Greater Allegheny over the home team, 68-37. M. Johnston put down a jumpshot before Tori ignited with another three-pointer. Burroughs put up a jumper before M. Johnston hashed the final points of the match, Greater Allegheny victorious with a final score of 77-43.
Through the game, Tori Johnston put up 22 points, eight rebounds and a pair of steals as the sophomore contibuted 66.7% (6-of-9) of her three-point shots. Mandi Johnston drained 21 points with six rebounds, six assists and two steals. McCallister noted her first double-double of the season, as the sophomore posted 17 rebounds with ten points and three steals through the contest.
As a team, Greater Allegheny out-rebounded Central Penn 51-31. The Lions marked 27 points off turnovers and 26 points in the paint. Greater Allegheny's largest lead of the game was 34 in the final minutes of the game.
Greater Allegheny (1-1) will go on the road with the men's team for their first away trip of the 2015-16 season. On Saturday, the women are set to play Southern Maine CC for a 1 p.m. start. You are able to tune into the game with live stats or video to follow the Lions. On Sunday, the Lions are set to play against Central Maine CC for a 12 p.m. first touch. For this, you are also able to tune into live stats or live video. Click the corresponding links!
